Mobile Printers: Shopko Selects O'Neil Portable Printers For In-Store Price Change And Labeling Requirements
Shopko, a $2.2B retailer with 135 stores in 13 states, has seen significant productivity and efficiency improvements since transitioning to portable label printers produced by O'Neil Product Development, a subsidiary of Dover Corp. In their wireless 802.11b/g environment, Shopko deployed the O'Neil Compact 3 (OC3), the world's most lightweight, streamlined, and ergonomic portable label and receipt printer and the LP3, O'Neil's high-volume portable label printer into each of its full service and express stores to meet their ongoing demand for in-store labeling and price changes.
To accommodate Shopko's array of labeling requirements, two types of portable printers were required; each optimally suited for their in-store needs. The majority of their mobile labeling applications necessitated a very portable and ergonomic printer that could be worn on the employees' belt. For their high-volume labeling requirements, Shopko desired a transportable printer with large media and battery capacities. "Retail hardiness and reliability were our key considerations," offered Ray Petersen, CTO and VP E-Commerce for Shopko. "We wanted the most reliable printers we could find. When you consider our labeling requirements, the list of potential vendors was quite limited."
The new OC3 was well-suited to meet Shopko's need for a small wireless wearable printer that would allow store associates to easily navigate through the occasional tight areas often found in apparel departments. Shopko uses the LP3 to accomplish their high-volume printing requirements; carrying the small printer throughout the store via its convenient shopping cart bracket. "The LP3's extended battery life and large label capacity were highly desirable," explained Petersen. "Since all of our mobile printers are now operating in a secure wireless environment, it was important that we also chose printers that could offer advanced encryption and wireless security options."
Prior to installing O'Neil's mobile labeling solutions, Shopko used tethered (non-wireless) portable printers. "The ongoing maintenance and need for replacements was costly and excessive," Petersen said. "The improvements we have realized since moving to the wireless O'Neil printers have been dramatic. O'Neil was incredibly responsive in every aspect of the sale and they continued their support throughout the implementation," continued Petersen. "It was a partnership right from the start, and O'Neil was always available with the right people and the right answers for the job."
"The success we have had with Shopko has been the culmination of months of focused teaming on the part of O'Neil, Shopko, and the Minneapolis-based systems integrator, Storeworks," said Endre Vargha, O'Neil's general manager. "O'Neil is passionate about continuing our long tradition as the world leader in reliable printing solutions and providing those solutions with integrity and competence. We're delighted to count Shopko as a close partner and continue to be committed to the success of their application."
ABOUT O'NEIL
Established in 1981, O'Neil Product Development, Inc. is a subsidiary of Dover Corporation and is the world's leading provider of reliable portable printing solutions. O'Neil designs and manufactures a complete line of mobile and wireless thermal bar code label and receipt printers, dot matrix impact printers and a variety of in-stock and custom media solutions. O'Neil printers are used around the globe in industries which include distribution, retail, manufacturing, law enforcement, utilities, transportation and an extensive array of business services. The company manufactures the industry's only complete line of printers, accessories, and development and support tools for route accounting, direct store delivery, and field mobile service applications. In addition to their own line of O'Neil-branded printers, the company manufactures mobile printing products in an OEM capacity for leading hand-held manufacturers, including a family of integrated hand-held computer and printer solutions. For more information, contact O'Neil at 949.458.0500 or visit www.oneilprinters.com.
About Shopko
Shopko Stores Operating Co., LLC is an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc., a leading private investment firm focused on leverage buyouts, equity, debt, and other investments in market-leading companies that can benefit from its in-house operating professionals and experience. Shopko is a $2.2 billion retailer of quality goods and services headquartered in Green Bay, Wis., with stores located in 13 states throughout the Midwest, Mountain and Pacific Northwest regions. Retail formats include 132 Shopko stores, providing quality name-brand merchandise, great values, pharmacy and optical services in mid-sized to larger cities and three Shopko Express Rx stores, a convenient neighborhood drugstore concept. For more information, please visit www.shopko.com.
About Storeworks
Storeworks is a master integrator and single source provider of store-level peripheral solutions. The company differentiates themselves by developing innovative software products wrapped around peripheral hardware as a true value-add. They provide hardware, consulting services, innovative software products, application development, integration, and field services in support of projects that involve Mobility Solutions, Shopper Interactive, Digital Signage, Payment Solutions, and Peripheral Hardware. Storeworks acts as an extension of their customers' IT team and augments their resources; helping them to stay ahead of emerging trends and technologies.
SOURCE: Shopko Stores Operating Co.